Easy One Week Vegan Meal Plan

So you think you want to be a vegan? Transitioning from a vegetarian to a vegan doesn’t have to be hard. It can even be easy for meat eaters to switch to a vegan diet when they know what to eat and how to plan out some meals. Knowing what you’re doing will make all the difference when you decide that you want to follow a vegan diet.

Why Go Vegan?

There are a number of reasons people decide to make the switch to a vegan diet. Some people do it for personal or ethical reasons, while others are just looking to make changes to their health. Some of the most common reasons people decide to go vegan are:

Lose Weight

Vegans tend to be thinner than meat and dairy eaters, and if you’re looking to shed a few pounds, going vegan is a great place to start. On the average, vegans are a whopping 20 pounds lighter than meat eaters!

Protect the Environment

Eating meat is not at all environmentally friendly. The meat industry is one of the biggest catalysts for climate change, it causes tons of pollution, and it is extremely wasteful. Adopting a vegan diet is one of the best things you can do in helping to protect the environment.

Animal Cruelty

The conditions animals are raised in for meat and dairy consumption are actually terrible, and unless you’re getting your meat and dairy from a local farm, the animals you’re consuming were raised and treated in horrible conditions.

Turned Off By Meat

Some people just start to think meat is gross. Meat is often full of bacteria, feces, and blood, all of which goes directly into your system. Animals and animal products are the top reason for food poisoning in the United States.

Increased Health and Wellness

Following a vegan diet is great for your health and overall wellness. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegans are less likely to develop cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The Protein Predicament

There is actually no predicament whatsoever when it comes to getting the protein your body needs, yet this is something people think is impossible when following a vegan diet. There are tons of places to get your protein from non-animal sources and vegans have more than a few different options when it comes to getting plenty of protein.

Greens

Have you ever heard kale referred to as the “new beef?” It got this nickname because it is actually loaded with protein. Two cups of cooked kale has 5 grams of protein, while one cup of spinach has a whole 7 grams.

Nut Butters

Peanut, almond, and cashew butter have plenty of the protein your body needs. Just two tablespoons of any of these butters offers about 8 grams of protein.

Beans

Try pinto, kidney, or black beans and you’ll get about 15 grams of protein per cup. They’re also full of the fiber your body needs.

Lentils

Lentils make for a great soup, are a great ingredient for homemade veggie burgers and have about 18 grams of protein per cup. Who says you need to eat a steak to get your protein when you’ve got alternatives like lentils?

Tempeh

Tempeh is super popular amongst vegans. The reason? One cup of tempeh has about 30 grams of protein. It’s also fermented, so it’s a natural probiotic!

Tofu

While some tofu is heavily processed, it is still one of the most popular vegan protein sources available. One cup has about 9 grams of protein. Just be sure to get organically produced, non-GMO varieties.

Milk Alternatives

Soy milk, almond milk, and hemp milk are all full of protein. Adding a cup to your granola or oatmeal in the mornings will give you up to 9 grams of protein.

Chia Seeds

Ounce for ounce, chia seeds contain more protein than a steak. One ounce of chia seeds contains 4 grams of protein. They can be added to a smoothie, sprinkled on a salad, added to a veggie burger recipe or casserole, or even eaten plain. They’re also packed full of many other nutrients your body needs.

Easy One Week Vegan Meal Plan

The following easy one-week meal plan is geared towards new vegans who need a little help, but can also serve as a great guide for those vegans who find themselves eating the same meals over and over. Bon Appetite!

Recipes For One Week Vegan Meal Plan

Monday

Lunch: Talk about fast food! You won’t even miss the drive-thru with this 10 minute Veggie Burger Lettuce Wrap. Get creative and experiment with your favorite toppings. The possibilities are endless!

Dinner: This Whole Wheat Noodles and Roasted Veggie recipe will bring a taste of Italy to your table! For a flavorful twist, use your favorite veggies to shake things up a bit. This is a great recipe to get rid of veggie odds and ends and leftovers. Frugal and satisfying!

Tuesday

Lunch: Craving an egg salad sandwich? This Tofu Salad Sandwich is just the ticket! All of the flavor and none of the sulfur smell of egg salad, so you can take it to work. Once you’ve mastered this basic recipe, be bold and add a dash of your favorite seasonings!

Dinner: There’s nothing like a bowl of thick hearty Lentil Soup to hit the spot after a busy day. Frugal and full of flavor, this recipe can easily be adapted for a slow cooker.

Wednesday

Dinner : These Black Bean Burritos pack a punch of flavor with a splash of lime and fresh cilantro. Garnish with Homemade Guacamole and take your taste buds on a trip south of the border!

Thursday

Dinner: Grilled Portobello Mushrooms are a quick, savory way to add that smoky grilled flavor to a Vegan diet. Add a side of the grilled veggies of your choice, and you have an easy-peasy Summer meal!

Friday

Breakfast: Start the day off with a flavor kick with this Chia Kale Smoothie. Get creative and use whatever fruit you have on hand.

Saturday

Lunch: Relax with a steaming bowl of Carrot Ginger Soup. Just the thing for a cozy Saturday with the family!

Dinner: Tickle your taste buds with these Tempeh Tacos. Add a splash of lime and homemade guacamole, and you’ll have a meal that rivals your favorite Mexican restaurant.

[…] our suggestions; your liver will thank you. These items fits particularly well into the Paleo and Vegan diets, so if you’re interested in either of those diets, be sure to check out our one week meal […]